SERVICES

Family Law

Navigating family law issues can be tough. MPD Attorneys offers empathetic online and in-person support for divorce, child care, and more — wherever you are.

Compassion & Expertise

Navigating Family Law Challenges with Compassion and Expertise

Facing interpersonal conflict within your household can be incredibly difficult. Let MPD Attorneys provide you with the understanding guidance needed to navigate the often complex South African family law system.

At MPD Attorneys, we offer a virtual and fully online family law assistance portal. We can assist you with a variety of family related matters regardless of where you are located. There is no need to schedule an in person consultation. Our online booking system allows you to choose a time comfortable for you and to consult with us via Microsoft Teams from the comfort of your own home.

No need to phone, stand in a queue, or drive to a physical office.

Clients in the Johannesburg area have the added advantage of being able to schedule face to face consultations with one of the members of our team should they wish.

Get In Touch

Speak to MPD Attorneys

Telephone

074 114 9029

EMAIL

mpdattorneys@outlook.com

ADDRESS

50 Constantia Boulevard
Quadrum Office Park
Ground Floor, Building No. 4
Constantia Kloof
Johannesburg, 1709

Divorce

Contested, Uncontested and Spouses Located Overseas

Has your marriage not worked out the way in which you hoped? 

Or are you tired of being stuck in an endless loop of conflict, broken promises, and disappointment? Making the decision to end your marriage is a serious one. The divorce process itself and a lack of knowledge thereof plays a considerable role in your decision.

This usually occurs when the spouses agree on the terms on which they want to exit the marriage such as for example: the division of their respective financial assets; care contact and primary residence of their minor children; maintenance of their children; maintenance between spouses and division of matrimonial assets.

These terms are then set out in a settlement agreement drafted by an attorney at our offices and the legal process which follows ensures that a decree of divorce is granted making the terms of the said agreement an order of court. In general, unopposed divorces are far cheaper and faster than opposed divorces due to the parties being able to reach settlement. Our offices usually offer our unopposed divorce services on a fixed once-off fee basis.

For our Johannesburg clients, we can offer all of our divorce-related legal services from courts located minutes from our offices, including the Johannesburg High Court and the local Magistrates’ Courts. Our team of support staff have, over time, built up reputable relationships with key role players at these courts to ensure that our service delivery to you is both accurate and timely.

For clients located outside of our home jurisdiction, we are able to offer our services to you without delay or inconvenience through our network of correspondent attorneys across South Africa.

The opposite of an unopposed divorce, where the spouses are unable to agree on terms for their divorce. Statistics show that more than 90% of all divorces which start opposed end up being settled. In the few cases in which parties are unable to reach settlement of any kind, the matter will be heard in a trial court and judgement will be given by a presiding officer.

Opposed divorces are more expensive and time consuming than unopposed divorces.

Every year more and more South Africans are making the choice to emigrate in search of safety and better economic opportunities. The breakdown of familial relations because of the stressors of emigration is a common phenomenon.

Many couples find themselves split between a foreign country and South Africa, not knowing how to go about getting divorced. Our firm can assist you in getting a divorce no matter where you or your spouse are in South Africa, and no matter in which other country the other party is located.

Protection & Safety

Domestic Violence Protection Orders

If you are experiencing domestic abuse, MPD Attorneys is here to help you find safety and legal recourse through the application for protection orders under the Domestic Violence Act 116 of 1998. We understand the urgency and sensitivity of these situations.

We understand the urgency and sensitivity of these situations.

If you find yourself in the unfortunate position of being the victim of abuse from someone whom you are in a domestic relationship with, our firm can help you seek relief through our court system.

We have extensive experience in matters relating to the application for protection orders in terms of the Domestic Violence Act 116 of 1998.

We always advise our clients to seek a legal professional to assist with drawing up an application for a protection order in terms of the Domestic Violence Act.

Our firm will assist you with the entire process including drafting of the necessary documentation, lodgment of your application with the clerk of the court, court appearances in relation to your matter and argument of your case if needed.

In addition, we offer representation for persons against whom applications for protection orders have been made.

For our Johannesburg clients, we engage directly with the relevant stakeholders at the local Magistrates’ Courts where applications in terms of both the Domestic Violence Act and the Protection from Harassment Act are dealt with.

Our firm has dealt with many matters at these courts and we are well versed with their directives and have good working relationships with their staff.

Full Scope

Comprehensive Legal Support for All Family Law Matters

Beyond divorce and protection orders, MPD Attorneys offers extensive expertise in a wide range of family law issues, ensuring the best possible outcomes for you and your loved ones.

If you and your spouse wish to change your matrimonial property regime, our offices can assist you with an application in terms of Section 21 of the Matrimonial Property Act 88 of 1984.

We have extensive knowledge and experience in various matters relating to minor children. We are here to assist in ensuring that the best interests of your minor children are taken care of. In this regard, we can assist in a wide range of child law related matters such as:

  1. Relocation of minor children both within the Republic and overseas
  2. Termination of parental rights and responsibilities
  3. Assistance with obtaining court orders for and referral to forensic assessments to determine the best interests of minor children
  4. Matters relating to the change in contact and primary residence arrangements regarding a minor child
  5. Criminal matters where your child is an accused or a victim of a crime
  6. Urgent applications relating to the best interests of minor children

We deal extensively with matters relating to maintenance and maintenance disputes.

We represent parties who wish to apply for the granting of a maintenance order; the variation of a maintenance order; discharge of a maintenance order or claims for arrear maintenance. Our offices are well acquainted with the various stakeholders at the maintenance division of the Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg.

Our in-depth understanding of the division’s practices and directives empowers us to assist you in a cost effective and efficient manner.

During contested divorce proceedings it might be necessary to apply for interim relief from court regarding issues such as maintenance, legal cost contributions and care and contact of minor children.

We are capable of assisting both applicants and respondents in such applications in both the High Court and Regional Division. It is important for any divorce litigant to keep in mind that the outcome of a rule 43 or rule 58 application can, in some instances, set the tone for all subsequent litigation between the spouses.

Consequently, it is necessary to ensure that you are represented by legal practitioners who are both competent and willing to invest their time in your matter.

There are occasions when our legal system allows for the usual rules of civil procedure to be abbreviated in the interests of urgency. Urgent applications, whilst extremely serious, are a common phenomenon in family law related matters.

We are able to consider the merits of your case and advise on the possibility of its success in an urgent court. We always seek to be open and honest with our clients regarding their chances of succeeding with an urgent application.

Our entire team will be at your disposal and will set aside non-urgent matters to ensure that your case is properly attended to, in the event that your matter is, in our opinion, urgent.

How Do We Operate?

I want to get divorced or need help with another family law matter — what should be my first step?

01.

SCHEDULE MEETING

Our firm prefers to meet in person or via Teams Link with our clients to discuss your matter.

02.

TEAMS MEETING

The aim of this first meeting is to establish the following:

  1. To consider the various facts of your matter and present you with the possible options that you have in law.
  2. To discuss the time frame and cost implications of your matter.
  3. To address any other concerns that you might have.
03.

DEVELOP AND EXECUTE YOUR ACTION PLAN

Following our initial consultation, we will take the information gathered to develop a tailored legal strategy designed to achieve the best possible outcome for your situation.

GET IN TOUCH

Take the first step toward resolving your legal needs

Contact MPD Attorneys today for dedicated, professional legal representation.